School districts voting on boards, bonds

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Voters across New Mexico are heading to the polls to fill positions on school boards and decide on money to help improve school buildings.

In Albuquerque voters are also being asked to approve $368 million to remodel and maintain schools.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. By midday voter turnout was described as extremely light.

Only about 3,300 votes have been cast today along with another 2,300 early or absentee.

Central New Mexico Community College board positions are up for grabs as are for spots on the Albuquerque Public Schools board.

In one APS contest, two incumbents, Paula Maes and David Robbins, are running against each other because of recent redistricting.

The other big issue on the APS ballot is money to help fix up the district's aging schools.

One question asks voters to approve a property tax that would raise $168 million.

For each homeowner, it would be $2 added to tax bills for each $1,000 of taxable home value.

So for a home worth $150,000 assessed for taxation at $50,000 that would be about $100 on your property tax bill.

Voters are also being asked to approve another $200 million in bonds.

In most other districts voters are just choosing board members.

One of the higher-profile elections is in Rio Rancho where Alexander Weimer , a 19-year-old University of New Mexico student, is running.  He's facing three other candidates, all educators or parents.

Voter turnout for the last APS school election in 2011 was about 4 percent.

School districts have been out promoting this election heavily hoping to boost those numbers.

Polls will remain open until 7 p.m.